Now Reading: DeepSeek Launches V4 Pro AI Model Amid Fierce China Competition
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DeepSeek Launches V4 Pro AI Model Amid Fierce China Competition
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has officially released its V4 Pro model, the V4-Pro-0813, claiming major improvements in AI agent capabilities. The model is available through API, app, and web channels. DeepSeek will…
The Story in Brief
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has officially released its V4 Pro model, the V4-Pro-0813, claiming major improvements in AI agent capabilities. The model is available through API, app, and web channels. DeepSeek will raise API pricing for both V4 Pro and V4 Flash from August 17, introducing peak and off-peak rates with hikes of up to 1,100%, according to Reuters.
The release comes after DeepSeek's cheaper V4 Flash unexpectedly outperformed an earlier preview of V4 Pro in independent tests, Reuters reports. DeepSeek became a global name after its R1 model went viral in early 2025, questioning the cost advantage of US rivals. But competition is rising from Chinese firms Moonshot AI, Zhipu AI, MinMax, Alibaba, and ByteDance. DeepSeek is also expanding staff and planning a new fundraising round at a valuation of about $74 billion, after raising $7.4 billion in June.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative that DeepSeek's low-cost R1 model would let China leapfrog US AI leaders is fading. Its V4 Pro launch, overshadowed by cheaper V4 Flash's better test scores, shows the startup is still scrambling to match domestic rivals like Alibaba and ByteDance. The real test will be whether DeepSeek can justify a $74 billion valuation by turning viral hype into steady revenue, especially as it raises API prices by up to 1,100%. Can a company that once shunned outside capital now outspend everyone?
Sources (3): deccanchronicle.com, timesnownews.com, ndtvprofit.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
